I enjoy working out to videos and undoubtedly the plie squat will show up in one form or another. (You know...feet spread wide apart with toes pointed out.) I don't get much out of this move other than achy knees. I don't have a problem with regular squats or lunges.

So, is this a worthwhile move, or is it just a worthless "toning" exercise created for females? What muscle group is being worked, and are there alternatives?

BTW, I'm female if that matters.

Well, the plie squat is supposed to work most of the same muscle groups as a "regular" squat with a little more emphasis on the inner thigh. If it hurts your knees, then don't do it. There are plenty of other exercises for your inner thigh. Where you see the plie, put in a regular squat.

Yeah, what they said. But you may also want to try working on your flexability. I have no idea what these squats are, guess it is because I am male :-P I do know though how must strain can be put on the knees in a wide legged split stance. The best way to take the strain off is to work on the flexability and so that the tension gets focused more on the quads and not the kness.

Really though, sounds like a stupid squat. There's no point to doing that motion. If you want to work your abductors (or are they the ads?) go get the thigh master or something. There's other techniques to hit those areas and really they don't get much of a workout unless you can get on a machine. I've noticed anyway. I can squeeze well over 200 lbs with mine though!

This sounds suspiciously like a sumo stance squat. Some people like them, some don't. Like Chelle said... if it hurts you, don't do it. I think Standard squats are overall much more effective anyway.

Thanks all for the great suggestions.

I had never really thought about flexability being an issue, so I think I will work on that and try them again when I'm more flexible.

But for now, I will just sick to the regular kind.